What is a Traveller's Cheque? Meaning & Example

A traveller's cheque is a pre-printed, fixed-amount cheque designed to be used by travellers as a secure alternative to carrying cash, especially abroad.

How it works

You buy traveller's cheques from a bank or issuer in fixed denominations and sign each one at purchase. When you use it, you sign again — the matching signatures verify you as the genuine owner. If lost or stolen, they can be refunded.

Example

A traveller buys $1,000 in traveller's cheques before a trip. They sign each cheque when purchased and counter-sign when spending, so only they can use them.

Are traveller's cheques still used?

They have largely been replaced by forex cards, debit/credit cards and digital payments, which are faster and more widely accepted. They remain useful as a backup in some situations.

For everyday business payments, see common cheque types and print cheques with Cheque Print.